Inflatable tube bodies

ABSTRACT

In an inflatable arrangement for use with buoyant elements, a combination comprising an inflatable tube, a rigid container positioned within said tube, and an elastic retainor surrounding the container and pressure-tightly securing the same by the force of the internal inflation pressure of the tube. A preventing element is provided to prevent deformation of the tube walls adjacent the rigid container during inflation by maintaining the rigid container out of contact with the tube.

United States Patent 11 1 Britschinn et al.

[ Dec. 30, 1975 [54] INFLATABLE TUBE BODIES [75] Inventors: Horst Britschinn, Munich; Fritz Federer, Turkenfeld; Henning Neumann, Germering, all of Germany [73] Assignee: Metzeler Kautschuk AG, Munich,

Germany 22 Filed: Feb. 11, 1975 21 App]. No.: 549,072

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 15, 1974 Germany 7405362[U] [52] US. Cl. 9/400; 114/.5 R [51] Int. Cl. B63B 35/00 [58] Field of Search 9/2 A, 11 A, 12,13, 311,

9/312, 314, 315, 329, 340, 400; 114/54, .5 F, .5 R; 5/348 R, 348 WB [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,285,391 11/1918 Robertson ..9/13

2,639,750 5/1953 Phane 9/2 A 3,068,494 12/1962 Pinkwater.. 5/348 R 3,378,864 4/1968 Cornes 9/11 A Primary Examiner-Duane A. Reger Assistant Examiner-Stuart M. Goldstein Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker 57 ABSTRACT In an inflatable arrangement for use with buoyant elements, a combination comprising an inflatable tube, a rigid container positioned within said tube, and an elastic retainor surrounding the container and pressure-tightly securing the same by the force of the internal inflation pressure of the tube. A preventing element is provided to prevent deformation of the tube walls adjacent the rigid container during inflation by maintaining the rigid container out of contact with the tube.

19 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 2 US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 :iuwvii w US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,928,879

INFLATABLE TUBE BODIES The innovation comprises an inflatable tube body of essentially oval cross-section used for inflatable boats, life-saving equipment, bathing platforms and similar buoyant elements and containing an interior bag made of an elastic, impermeable material forming a pressuretight retaining means for rigid containers and/or tanks which can be introduced from the outside through opening and closing means in the deflated tube body, said interior bag being fixed atthe inside wall of the tube body or within its range, sealing the interior space of the tube body off from the outside.

It is known that the tube body of an inflatable boat can be slotted in longitudinal or transversal direction in order to attach in its interior a bag with a rigid container or tank so that due to the inflation pressure said bag will be pressed against the container or tank and keep it secured in its position, pressed against the tube body wall near the opening. To avoid the risk of a deformation of the tube body in consequence of the inflation stress or even the risk of the container together with the bag being pushed out through the opening it has further been proposed to close the slot of the opening with the aid of strong pulling means or respectively to fix it on the container with a clamping frame or with hooks at the edge of the tube body wall in such manner that the stability of the tube body will be fully maintained. Suitable closing means are hooks and eyelets, rip tape closures, lace fastening, buttons and buttonholes and similar means, in each case relieved from tensile stress due to fixation of the carrying tube wall to said clamping frame or to the rim of the container or tank. A pressure-tight application of the bag within the tube body is of essential importance and even during violent motions of the boat or inherent motions of the container retained within the bag the pressure sealing quality must be granted.

The design of clamping frames or respectively the fixation of the carrying tube skin to the containers is cumbersome and rather prone to trouble in case of inflatable boats which have to be disassembled and reassembled frequently. In the clamping frame or within the range where the tube body wall is hooked to the rim of the container or tank it is necessary to have additional opening giving access to the interior of the container or tank or respectively through which the filling and dispensing means of the tank can be passed through. In the known embodiments such access openings are provided in the zone of the slot through which the container or tank was introduced into the carrying tube body, which gives rise to further problems in connection with closing and sealing of these openings, which have to be closed and reopened quickly, fre quently and reliably in practical use. Another drawback consists in the fact that the individual parts used as clamping frames or as top parts of the container or tank, have to be made of materials which in most cases will not lend themselves to a durable and pressure-tight connection with each other or with the carrying tube by way of adhesive bonding or vulcanization, whereas just this is the most commonly used method for the production of such carrying tubes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an aim of the innovation to create an inflatable tube body of the abovementioned nature, avoiding the drawbacks of the known embodiments and particularly adapted to meet the requirements for an inflatable boat manufactured in series production and expected to be frequently disassembled and reassembled in actual use. It is a further aim to provide uncomplicated means for a durable, pressure-tight and resistant fixation of the walls of said known tube bodies within the range extending around the access openings for said container or tank. This access should further be independent from the slot for introduction of the container or tank and it should be easy to close.

For a tube body of the nature precedingly described, the innovation has reached these aims by using a molded part in rubber-to-metal bonded design, rubber and plastics design, fibreglass reinforced plastics, sintered plastics or die-cast metal, containing a rigid reinforcing element, for forming a. separate access to the container or tank, said molded part being equipped with a flange along its periphery on the top side or bottom side of which the carrying tube wall is anchored in sealing and stress-resistant manner and further being equipped with a circular, oval or rectangular passage having an inward or outward-turned collar which can preferably be closed with a cap. This embodiment will conveniently ensure that the tank or container can be introduced in the usual manner through the opening provided for that purpose and not described in more detail here and that its access opening or respectively its filling or dispensing means will be connected with or only aligned to said passage of the molded part. The molded part remaining in the tube body as an incorporated integral element securely fixed by adhesive bonding and vulcanization, it is the only connection between the tube body wall and the access zone. Thus the tank or container will not have to take up forces, nor to fulfill sealing functions.

Further embodiments of a tube body according to the innovation characterized in the foregoing can be taken from the sub-claims following herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The innovation is illustrated in the following description with reference to drawings showing several sectional views; where FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of a molded part,

FIG. 2 is another embodiment which is smaller than that shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a first sectional view vertical to the longitudinal direction of the tube body,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a further embodiment, transversal to the longitudinal direction of the tube body FIG. 5 is a simplified embodiment of a molded part, as compared to the foregoing embodiments FIG. 6 is a further embodiment of a molded part and FIG. 7 is another embodiment of a molded part, equipped with slide-lock fitting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. I shows the wall 10 of a tube body which is not shown itself in more detail but which is essentially of oval cross-section, having an aperture 11 through which a collar 12 of a molded part or preventing means 13 is protruding. The molded part 13 is equipped with a flange 14 along its periphery, arranged on the inside of the wall 10 and in durable, pressure-tight, tensionresistant connection with it over the entire common contact area, achieved by way of adhesive bonding and vulcanization (reference The molded part 13 can be formed by a rubber-tometal bonded element, a rubber and plastics element, a part made of fibreglass-reinforced plastics, sintered plastics or die-cast metal, and preferably it has a rigid reinforcement 16 of high stability of shape molded in, which is connected by cementing or bonding with the elastic section of molded part 13 (collar 12, flange 14). The molded part 13 represents an access 17 to an elastic, pressure tight bag 19, arranged in the interior of the tube body, for instance by adhesive bonding upon a setoff or lip portion 18 surrounding the flange l4, and retaining a container or tank which is so arranged that its filling port or dispensing hole 29 is situated on the inside of the reinforcement 16 or of the passage 17. The passage 17 may have any configuration as, for example, an oval, circular or rectangular configuration.

Due to the inflation pressure of the tube body (represented by the arrows) the bag 19 will come into tightly fitting contact with the outer wall of the tank 20 and consequently the tank will be pressed against the wall 10 or respectively against the molded part or preventing means 13 so that its position will not require any further securing means.

The cross-sectional shape of the flange 14 ensures that within the range of the tanks edges even under high inflation pressure no undesired contractions or uneven areas will become visible on the outside of the tube body, because quite contrary the uniform configuration or respectively the flat end of the flange will maintain the existing flat surface of the tube body.

The bag 19 can also be fixed directly upon the flange 14, which makes it possible to eliminate the surrounding lip portion 18, which simultaneously serves as a mounting aid for the introduction of the tank or container and as a means for securing its position.

According to FIG. 2 a molded part 22 is passed from the inside through an aperture in the wall 21 of a tube body, the flange 23 of the molded part being in pressure-tight and tension-resistant connection with the wall 21, achieved by adhesive bonding. The molded part 22 further comprises rigid reinforcement means 25 of high stability of shape, surrounding the passage 24 and not visible from the outside. The reinforcing means is formed of multi-layered fabric material strips juxtaposed and extending outwardly of said opening of the tube. The reinforcement materials are resistant to tensile stress, and for example may be fabric strips, fabric plies, or cord plies. In addition, metallic wire inserts may be used. In the interior of the tube body a bag 27 is bonded with the aid of an angular strip 26 to result in a pressure-tight connection. The bag retains a tank or container 28 arranged with its opening or port 29 within the range of the passage 24. In this embodiment the flange 23 extends only over the range of the passage 24 or respectivelyonly far enough in peripheric direction to allow a sufficiently secure bonding of the wall 21.

In the figure the transitions from the flange 23 to the wall 21 of the tube body have been drawn in enlarged scale for better understanding, whereas in reality the transitions are aligned to each other so thateven under full inflation pressure the wall 21 will not show any contraction or surface irregularity noticeable from the outside.

The sectional view of FIG. 3 illustrates the curvature of a tube body wall 30 having an aperture 31, through which a collar 32 of a molded part 33 protrudes downwards from the inside. Here the molded part 33 has a flange 34 the surface contour of which corresponds exactly to the curvature of the tube body or respectively tu-be body wall 30. With its central passage 35 said molded part surrounds a filling end 36 ofa tank 37. For example the tank 37 could have the shape of a square block with a flat top side 38. In order to avoid contractions or squeezing deformations from the tank edges in the wall of the tube body which, due to the inflation pressure would come into contact with the top side 38 of the tank 37, the flange 34 has its bottom side shaped exactly corresponding to the top side of the tank and eventually the flange will overlap the tank with covering and protecting lateral beads 39. Conveniently a bag 40 will be attached to these lateral beads 39 by adhesive bonding, as a pressure-tight retaining means for the tank 37.

According to FIG. 4 a carrying tube 42 has arranged in its interior a container or respectively tank 41, the surface 43 of which is adapted to the curvature of the tube body wall so that a flange 44 of a molded part 45 can have a thin configuration only following the curvature so as to permit an unobjectionable adhesive bonding to the wall 42. The molded part 45 contains a collar 46 into which the filling end of the tank or container is protruding. The collar 46 will protrude only slightly or not at all above the contour of the tube body wall 42. A bag 47 retaining the tank or container 41 is conveniently fixed with its rim to the rim of the flange 44. However, it can naturally also be attached by adhesive bonding directly to the tube body wall 42 or respectively within the bonding area between flange 44 and wall 42.

According to FIG. 5 a rigid, tension-resistant, annular molded part 52 containing a passage 51 in it is incorporated in an aperture of a wall 50 of a tube body. The two flanges 53 and 54 of the molded part are clamping the wall 50 between each other and conveniently they are attached durably and pressuretight to the wall by way of adhesive bonding.

FIG. 6 shows a molded part having a collar 61 which is turned towards the interior and equipped with projecting portions or a bead 62 over which a container 63 has been pushed up from below with its opening. The forcelocking attachment means is shown in the course of assembly. The molded part 60 has a passage 64 in it, which is closed against the outside by closing means, such as a slotted diaphragm 65 or a rubber skin (or respectively by a rip tape closure, zipper or similar closing means). On the outside a flange 66 of the molded part has been attached by adhesive bonding upon a tube body wall 67 so that the collar 61 protrudes towards the interior. As soon as inflation pressure will be built up within the tube body after assembly, the container will come into contact with the tube body wall 67. Access to the interior of the container 63 is always granted through the diaphragm 65. The protrusions or beads 62 serve as a mounting aid only.

FIG. 7 shows a design of a molded part 70 with a reinforcement 71 which will on one hand improve the form stability of the molded part 70, particularly in case of tensile strain caused by the inflation pressure applied over the flange 72 and the tube body wall adjoiningly attached within the area 73 by adhesive bonding. On the other hand the reinforcement 71 has been simultaneously provided with a recess or insert to form a slide-lock socket or screw cap socket for a cap 74 intended as a closing means upon an access 75 in the molded part 70. The cap 74 is provided within the access 75 with locking means so that the cap can be locked in place upon its being turned after being received in the access. The cap can be turned on hinges and can be fixed in place by conventional means, such as bayonet locks, spring-loaded locks, clamping locks or any locking bar devices.

The molded parts according to the innovation permit particularly easy access to the interior spaces of the containers or to the filling and dispensing means of the tanks. Of course it is possible to provide several molded parts side by side and/or in tandem arrangement within one tube body intended to take up several containers or tanks or in case of containers or tanks having several openings.

What we claim is:

1. In an inflatable arrangement, particularly for use in inflatable boats, life-saving buoys, bathing platforms and like buoyant elements, a combination comprising an inflatable tube having an opening and flexible wall portions defining an interior space when inflated; a rigid container positioned within said interior space and having an access port requiring to be secured in a predetermined position within said opening; elastic, impermeable retaining means provided within said space and partially surrounding said container for pressure-tightly securing said container in said predetermined position under the influence of the internal inflation pressure in said tube; and preventing means for preventing deformation of said flexible wall portions of said tube in the region adjacent said rigid container, said preventing means comprising a flange portion secured to the interior surface of said flexible wall portions and maintaining said rigid container out of contact with the latter.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said flange portion lies along a part of the upper portion of said rigid container adjacent said flexible wall portions of said tube, and wherein said retaining means is a flexible bag having a rim portion which is pressuretightly secured to said interior surface of said wall portions.

3. A combination as defined in claim 2; and further comprising an angular strip placed intermediate said rim portion and said interior surface of said wall portions so as to secure said pressure-tight connection by adhesive bonding, said angular strip shaped to conform to said upper portion of said container.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said retaining means is a flexible bag having a rim portion, and wherein said flange portion lies along the entire part of the upper portion of said rigid container adjacent said flexible wall portions of said tube, and wherein said rim portion is pressure-tightly secured to said flange portion.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said rigid container has a curvilinear-shaped upper portion, and wherein said flange portion has an upper surface which conforms to the curvature of said tube upon inflation, and a lower surface which conforms to said curvilinear-shaped upper portion.

6. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said flange portion has a lip portion extending beyond the upper portion of said rigid container adjacent said flexible wall portions of said tube in a generally downward direction, said retaining means being secured to said lip portion.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said rigid container has a rectangular-shaped configuration, and wherein said flange portion has an upper surface which conforms to the curvature of said tube upon inflation, and a lower surface which conforms to the planar contour of said upper portion of said container.

8. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said preventing means further comprises rigid reinforcing means connected with and strengthening said flange portion so as to form a passage in said preventing means which communicates with the interior of said containers.

9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said preventing means further comprises a collar portion shaped so as to fit within said opening of said tube.

10. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said flange portion is formed of flexible rubber material; and said reinforcing means is formed of metal material, said materials being bonded so as to form an integral molded construction for said preventing means.

11. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said reinforcing means is formed of multi-layered fabric material strips which are resistant to tensile stress, said material strips being juxtaposed and extending outwardly of said opening of said tube.

12. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said reinforcing means is formed of metallic wire inserts.

13. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein the upper portion of said rigid container adjacent said flexible wall portions of said tube has an access port provided within said passage.

14. A combination as defined in claim 13; and further comprising force-locking attachment means for attaching said rigid container to said preventing means, said attachment means having projecting portions on said collar portion which are forced into and through said access port of said container.

15. A combination as defined in claim 8; and further comprising closing means mounted in said passage for closing the same, said closing means comprising a slotted diaphragm integrally mounted within said preventing means.

16. A combination as defined in claim 15, wherein said closing means further comprises a removable cap and locking means, said reinforcing means shaped with a recess to slidably receive said cap, and said locking means locking said cap in said recess upon rotation of said cap.

17. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said locking means is a bayonet lock.

18. A combination as defined in claim 15, wherein said closing means further comprises a cap having a threaded portion, and said reinforcing means having cooperating threaded portions to receive said cap.

19. A combination as defined in claim 15, wherein said closing means further comprises a zipper-type closure. 

1. In an inflatable arrangement, particularly for use in inflatable boats, life-saving buoys, bathing platforms and like buoyant elements, a combination comprising an inflatable tube having an opening and flexible wall portions defining an interior space when inflaTed; a rigid container positioned within said interior space and having an access port requiring to be secured in a predetermined position within said opening; elastic, impermeable retaining means provided within said space and partially surrounding said container for pressure-tightly securing said container in said predetermined position under the influence of the internal inflation pressure in said tube; and preventing means for preventing deformation of said flexible wall portions of said tube in the region adjacent said rigid container, said preventing means comprising a flange portion secured to the interior surface of said flexible wall portions and maintaining said rigid container out of contact with the latter.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said flange portion lies along a part of the upper portion of said rigid container adjacent said flexible wall portions of said tube, and wherein said retaining means is a flexible bag having a rim portion which is pressure-tightly secured to said interior surface of said wall portions.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 2; and further comprising an angular strip placed intermediate said rim portion and said interior surface of said wall portions so as to secure said pressure-tight connection by adhesive bonding, said angular strip shaped to conform to said upper portion of said container.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said retaining means is a flexible bag having a rim portion, and wherein said flange portion lies along the entire part of the upper portion of said rigid container adjacent said flexible wall portions of said tube, and wherein said rim portion is pressure-tightly secured to said flange portion.
 5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said rigid container has a curvilinear-shaped upper portion, and wherein said flange portion has an upper surface which conforms to the curvature of said tube upon inflation, and a lower surface which conforms to said curvilinear-shaped upper portion.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said flange portion has a lip portion extending beyond the upper portion of said rigid container adjacent said flexible wall portions of said tube in a generally downward direction, said retaining means being secured to said lip portion.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said rigid container has a rectangular-shaped configuration, and wherein said flange portion has an upper surface which conforms to the curvature of said tube upon inflation, and a lower surface which conforms to the planar contour of said upper portion of said container.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said preventing means further comprises rigid reinforcing means connected with and strengthening said flange portion so as to form a passage in said preventing means which communicates with the interior of said containers.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said preventing means further comprises a collar portion shaped so as to fit within said opening of said tube.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said flange portion is formed of flexible rubber material; and said reinforcing means is formed of metal material, said materials being bonded so as to form an integral molded construction for said preventing means.
 11. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said reinforcing means is formed of multi-layered fabric material strips which are resistant to tensile stress, said material strips being juxtaposed and extending outwardly of said opening of said tube.
 12. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said reinforcing means is formed of metallic wire inserts.
 13. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein the upper portion of said rigid container adjacent said flexible wall portions of said tube has an access port provided within said passage.
 14. A combination as defined in claim 13; and further comprising force-locking attachment means for attaching said rigid containeR to said preventing means, said attachment means having projecting portions on said collar portion which are forced into and through said access port of said container.
 15. A combination as defined in claim 8; and further comprising closing means mounted in said passage for closing the same, said closing means comprising a slotted diaphragm integrally mounted within said preventing means.
 16. A combination as defined in claim 15, wherein said closing means further comprises a removable cap and locking means, said reinforcing means shaped with a recess to slidably receive said cap, and said locking means locking said cap in said recess upon rotation of said cap.
 17. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said locking means is a bayonet lock.
 18. A combination as defined in claim 15, wherein said closing means further comprises a cap having a threaded portion, and said reinforcing means having cooperating threaded portions to receive said cap.
 19. A combination as defined in claim 15, wherein said closing means further comprises a zipper-type closure. 